Tot hopes of tandem death pair

They are a lovely family, so kind and so helpful. They don’t deserve this. They’d just had news that they were able to have fertility treatment. It’s just terrible

Family friend Diane Pullin

Newlyweds Ross and Clare Simons died at the roadside when the tandem they were riding was struck by a speeding car.

Police have confirmed that the driver of the Citroën Picasso, who initially fled the scene, was being chased by officers.

Last night detectives were quizzing a 38-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of dangerous driving.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating.

Pals paid tribute to Ross, 34, and Clare, 30, who had been married just 18 months and had received the go-ahead to start IVF treatment.

Family friend Diane Pullin, from Kingswood, Bristol, said: “They are a lovely family, so kind and so helpful. They don’t deserve this. They’d just had news that they were able to have fertility treatment. It’s just terrible.”

Steve Cann, 30, who went to school with shop worker Clare and worked with Ross in the building trade, added: “They were a crazy couple, always doing random stuff like riding a tandem.

“They were like two peas in a pod, hardly ever apart.”

Referring to their plans to start a family, he added: “They had obviously been trying for a long time. They were saving their money to pay for more IVF treatment. They loved kids and wanted their own.”

Last night flowers were left at the scene of the tragedy in Hanham, Bristol.

The Rev Peter Cook, of Hanham Baptist Church, said: “I think there is a state of shock and incomprehension.

“It has ripped the community to its heart. You don’t expect it happening on a Sunday afternoon when you are out for a cycle.”